Upcoming Tomb Raider comic reveals what happens after Underworld ahead of Catalyst release

Tomb Raider fans have a new comic to look forward to very soon. The first issue of Tomb Raider Sacred Artifacts is scheduled to release on January 14 and will kick off a four-issue series. What makes the upcoming comic notable is that it explores Lara Croft’s life following the events of Tomb Raider Underworld in 2008, providing some canonical continuity before the release of Tomb Raider Catalyst in 2027.

The upcoming comic is published by Dark Horse Comics, a prominent publisher of comic books and graphic novels that has previously produced tie-in comics for several video game franchises, including Mass Effect and The Witcher.

The Tomb Raider Sacred Artifacts description reads, “When Croft Manor goes up in flames, it forces Lara to take stock of her life and figure out what is important to her”. This refers to the destruction of Croft Manor in Underworld, caused by Lara Croft’s evil doppelgänger, created by Jacqueline Natla, who reprised her role as the main villain after the original Tomb Raider released in 1996.

Dark Horse’s description continues, “But a confrontation with a mysterious foe who has gotten their hands on a dangerous and familiar artifact provides some clarity, as it launches Lara on a cross-continental journey doing what she does best… raiding tombs and questing for legendary relics”.

The description concludes, “Experience Lara Croft’s next chapter as she forges a new path following the events in Tomb Raider Underworld and continues her legacy as the Tomb Raider”.

The first issue features 32 pages and will cost $5. Dark Horse also plans to release a bundle containing all four issues on August 25, 2026, priced at $20.

Tomb Raider Catalyst takes place after Underworld

Tomb Raider Catalyst officially takes place after the events of Underworld. Speaking to GamesRadar, Will Kerslake, game director at developer Crystal Dynamics, says, “From a timeline perspective, Tomb Raider Catalyst is set years after the events of Tomb Raider Underworld”.

Underworld was released in 2008, meaning it will be 19 years old by the time Catalyst launches in 2027. Because of that time gap, Kerslake stresses that Catalyst is “designed to stand on its own as an adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone,” suggesting players do not need prior knowledge of the series to follow the story.

While familiarity with Tomb Raider’s history is not required, Sacred Artifacts will offer additional continuity between Underworld and Catalyst for longtime fans of Lara Croft.

So far, we have only seen a CG trailer for Catalyst, revealed at The Game Awards in December 2025. The game is officially set in Northern India, and leaks that have proven reliable so far suggest it features an open world with a motorcycle for Lara to traverse the landscape.

Before Catalyst arrives, we are set to get Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis in 2026. The game is a reimagining of Lara Croft’s 1996 PlayStation debut, and leaks suggest it will introduce the Society of Raiders, a rumored group of explorers who allegedly become rivals in Catalyst.

In addition to Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst, an Amazon Prime Tomb Raider series is currently in development. The show stars Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in another major television role since playing Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.

Sigourney Weaver is also attached to the Amazon Prime cast, and the series is set in the same universe as the games. Official story details are kept under wraps, but it reportedly dives into Norse mythology, similar to Underworld.